Ballistics and firearms

Question 1

What is ballistics?

Answer 1

The scientific study of a projectile in flight.

Question 2

What is interior ballistics?

Answer 2

The study of projectiles in weapons.

Question 3

What is the study of exterior ballistics?

Answer 3

The study of projectiles in the air.

Question 4

What is the study of terminal ballistics?

Answer 4

The study of projectile penetration of solids.

Question 5

What is the study of terminal ballistics?

Answer 5

The study of projectile penetration of tissues.

Question 6

What type of energy is released when a projectile leaves a firearm?

Answer 6

Kinetic energy.

Question 7

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and the wounding potential?

Answer 7

The greater the kinetic energy of the projectile the greater the wounding potential of the tissue.

Question 8

What does it mean if a projectile does not leave the body?

Answer 8

All the kinetic energy from the projectile has been transferred to the tissues.

Question 9

What does it mean if a projectile enters the body and exits the body?

Answer 9

Only some of the kinetic energy has been transferred to the tissues.

Question 10

What is the definition of a firearm?

Answer 10

A lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged.

Question 11

What re the three roles of a firearm?

Answer 11

• To discharge the projectile with sufficient energy to kill.
• Ensures the projectile to travel in the required direction.
• Ensures the bullet arrives at its target nose first.

Question 12

Name three small fire arms

Answer 12

Shotguns
Pistols
Revolvers
Cattle killers
Signal pistols
Alarm guns

Question 13

Name three safety procedures for firearms.

Answer 13

• Never leave a loaded firearm unattended.
• Never place a finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire it.
• Never point a firearm at anyone or anything that you do not wish to destroy.

Question 14

What is the maximum penalty for each offence?

Answer 14

£1000

Question 15

What is ammunition?

Answer 15

• What is or fired from a gun

Question 16

What are the components of ammunition?

Answer 16

• Cartridge case
• Primer
• Propellent
• Bullet

Question 17

What are the five components of a bullet?

Answer 17

1. Bullet
2. Cartridge
3. Propellent
4. Rim
5. Primer

Question 18

What is a bullet?

Answer 18

• Part of the ammunition that is projected from the firearm.
• Can be made out of nickel, copper or zinc.

Question 19

What is a cartridge?

Answer 19

• A metal or plastic casing which contains the primer and propellent.

Question 20

What is a propellent?

Answer 20

A compound which will burn explosively to produce large volumes of gas.

Question 21

What is a rim?

Answer 21

• Contains the details of the calibre and manufacture of the bullet.

Question 22

What is a primer?

Answer 22

• A mixture of compound that explode when they are compressed and they ignite the propellent.

Question 23

What is firearm identification?

Answer 23

Any discipline of forensic science which has its primary concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition components was discharged by a particular firearm.

Question 24

What are three types of evidence on a semi-automatic pistol?

Answer 24

• GSR
• Rifling marks
• Firing pin marks
• Fingerprints
• DNA
• Gun oil traces
• Ejector marks
• Breech marks

Question 25

What is the role of a forensic scientists with firearms?

Answer 25

- Ballistics - Analysis of GSR - Physical fit and microscopic comparisons - Determination of the serial number of the fire arms

Question 26

How do you analysis of GSR?

Answer 26

From clothing and hands of the individual who had fired the weapon.

Question 27

What is physical fit and microscopic comparisons?

Answer 27

Examining any marks that may have been transferred to the bullet as it is fired from the weapon.

Question 28

How do you determine the serial number of a firearm?

Answer 28

By using chemical treatment.

Question 29

What is a head stamp?

Answer 29

It is found on the base of the cartridge and they provide information on the manufacturer of the bullet. Includes letters, numbers, symbols and trade names.

Question 30

What is centifire and rimfire weapons which type of firearms have them?

Answer 30

Rilfed weapons contain them. Referfs to the location of the firing pin

Question 31

Name examples of handguns.

Answer 31

Pistol and revolvers.

Question 32

What are the two types of actions a revolver can have?

Answer 32

Single and double action.

Question 33

What is a single action revolver?

Answer 33

The hammer has to be pulled back and cocked before it being fired. Needs to be done by hand.

Question 34

What is a double action revolver?

Answer 34

When pulling the trigger it causes the hammer to cock and fire.

Question 35

What is the difference between a shoulder arm and hand gun?

Answer 35

Shoulder arms travel much further and with greater velocity

Question 36

Which ammunition is uses in a shotgun?

Answer 36

Birdshot Buckshot Slugs

Question 37

How far can a plastic cup shell be found?

Answer 37

Up to 6m

Question 38

How far can filler wad shells be found?

Answer 38

Up to 5m

Question 39

How far can polyethylene filler granules be found up to?

Answer 39

Up to 3m

Question 40

How far can ball powder shells be found up to?

Answer 40

Up to 1m

Question 41

What is calibre?

Answer 41

The diameter of the gun barrel and the diameter of the guns ammunition.

Question 42

What do individual characteristics show in bullet types?

Answer 42

Rifiling impressions striations and spacing.

Question 43

What can pinfire marks highlight?

Answer 43

Location Shape Depth

Question 44

What can breech and extraction marks highlight?

Answer 44

Location Shape Indentation form Striations

Question 45

Name two firearms database types.

Answer 45

- National ballistics intelligence services. - Integrated ballistics identification system. - Interpol ballistics information network.

Question 46

What does GSR residue consist of?

Answer 46

Organic and inorganic components

Question 47

What are the inorganic compounds found in GSR?

Answer 47

Barium Antimony Lead